Michael Brooks
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin was born in 1161 to King Amalric and Agnes of Courtenay. He was a Catholic and ruled a thriving crusader state, successfully protecting it from Saladin, the leader of the Mohammedans. Despite suffering from leprosy, Baldwin rode into battle like a true warrior and wielded his spear with great strength. He is not considered a saint by the Catholic or Orthodox churches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Baldwin IV |
| Nickname | The Leper King |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Title | King of Jerusalem |
| Birth Year | 1161 |
| Death Year | 1185 |
| Age When Became King | 13 |
| Parentage | King Amalric and Agnes of Courtenay |
| Godparents | King Baldwin III |
| Illnesses | Leprosy, Blindness |
| Notable Battles | Battle of Le Forbelet, Battle of Ascalon |
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What You'll Learn
King Baldwin IV was Catholic
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was the Catholic King of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin was born in Jerusalem in 1161 to King Amalric and Queen Agnes of Courtenay. At the age of nine, he was sent to be educated by Archbishop William of Tyre, who described him as a good-looking child with an excellent memory. Unfortunately, it was also around this time that Baldwin was diagnosed with leprosy due to a lack of sensation in his arms.
Baldwin ascended to the throne at the young age of thirteen, despite his illness. He ruled a thriving crusader state and successfully protected it from Saladin, the Egyptian ruler who was attempting to expand his power into northern Syria. In 1177, Baldwin led a Christian army against Saladin's forces near the hill of Montgisard, despite being vastly outnumbered. Before the battle, Baldwin called for the Bishop of Bethlehem to bring forth the relic of the True Cross, before which he prostrated himself and prayed for victory. The Christian army was victorious, with Saladin only narrowly escaping.
Throughout his reign, Baldwin was troubled by the issue of succession, as he had no heir. He ultimately chose his five-year-old nephew, Baldwin V, as his successor, with Raymond of Tripoli serving as regent until the young king came of age. King Baldwin IV died in 1185 at the age of twenty-four, leaving a legacy of courage and strength in the face of illness and adversity. He was remembered as one of the greatest kings of the Holy Land, with his bravery and leadership inspiring admiration from both his subjects and enemies alike.
While some sources refer to King Baldwin IV as a Catholic, there is also discussion of his potential association with Eastern Orthodox Christianity. However, it is important to note that he is not recognized as a saint by the Orthodox Church, as they do not canonize individuals from schismatic sects.
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He is not a Catholic saint
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin's parents, King Amalric and Agnes of Courtenay, separated when he was two years old. He was then sent to be educated by Archbishop William of Tyre at the age of nine. Baldwin ascended to the throne at the age of thirteen, despite having leprosy.
Baldwin is not a Catholic saint. Although he led a Catholic army at the age of fourteen, winning a battle against Saracen horsemen, and was referred to as a "martyr" of suffering, he has not been canonized by the Catholic Church. The process of becoming a saint requires a person to be first declared a "Servant of God" and then subsequently declared "Venerable" by the Vatican. The next steps include beatification and canonization, which typically requires two verified miracles for each step.
Baldwin is also not recognized as an Orthodox saint. While he hosted the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Michael the Syrian, in Jerusalem and won his lasting loyalty, this does not make him an Orthodox saint. The Orthodox Church does not recognize any Catholic saints who were canonized after the schism of 1054, and Baldwin has not been canonized by the Catholic Church, as previously mentioned.
Despite not being a saint in either the Catholic or Orthodox Church, Baldwin is still admired for his heroism and leadership in the face of his illness. He consistently acted against Saladin's attempts to expand into northern Syria and succeeded in protecting the crusader state from Saladin's attacks.
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He was kind to the Orthodox
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was a Catholic. He was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Despite being a Catholic, there are several instances that suggest that he was kind to the Orthodox.
In 1178, Baldwin hosted the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Michael the Syrian, in Jerusalem. He won Michael's lasting loyalty to the Frankish cause. This suggests that Baldwin was tolerant and respectful of the Orthodox faith and its followers.
Additionally, while King Baldwin was a devout Catholic and led Catholic armies into battle, he also recognised the importance of religious diversity and the need for cooperation between different faiths. For example, he secured a two-year truce with Saladin, the leader of the centuries-old enemies of Christ, the Mohammedans. Unfortunately, the truce was broken prematurely by Prince Raynald of Antioch, who seized a merchant caravan on its way from Egypt to Damascus and refused to return the prisoners or spoils despite the king's orders.
Despite facing significant challenges, including his battle with leprosy, King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem demonstrated respect and tolerance towards the Orthodox faith. He was open to cooperation and collaboration with religious leaders from other faiths, such as Michael the Syrian, and worked to foster unity and peace in the region.
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He is not an Orthodox saint
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin is not an Orthodox saint. He was a Catholic, and only Catholics who were canonized before 1054 are recognized as saints in Orthodoxy.
Baldwin was born in 1161 to King Amalric and Agnes of Courtenay. He ascended the throne at the age of thirteen, despite having leprosy. He commanded the Catholic army and won several battles against Saladin, the leader of the Mohammedans. Baldwin is described as a warrior and a hero who ruled a thriving crusader state and protected it from Saladin's attacks. He was also known for his respect and loyalty, which contributed to his military victories.
Baldwin's reign was marked by infighting among the kingdom's nobles, and he worked to select a suitable heir to prevent a succession crisis. He was troubled by his succession, especially towards the end of his life. In addition to his illness, he faced challenges such as the anti-Catholic coup in Constantinople, which gave Saladin confidence to attack the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Despite being outnumbered, Baldwin's army won the Battle of Le Forbelet due to the respect and loyalty commanded by the king.
Baldwin hosted the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Michael the Syrian, in Jerusalem, and won his lasting loyalty to the Frankish cause. However, this does not imply that Baldwin was an Orthodox saint. While he may be admired for his leadership and military achievements, canonization follows specific rules, and individuals in schismatic sects cannot be canonized.
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He was king of Jerusalem
King Baldwin IV, also known as the Leper King, was the Catholic king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. Baldwin was born in 1161 to King Amalric and Agnes of Courtenay, who separated when he was two years old. At nine years old, he was sent to be educated by Archbishop William of Tyre.
Baldwin ascended to the throne at the young age of thirteen, despite having leprosy. He ruled a thriving crusader state and successfully protected it from Saladin, the leader of the centuries-old enemies of Christ, the Mohammedans. In 1176, at the age of fourteen, Baldwin commanded the Catholic army and won a resounding victory on the plain of Beqaa. He consistently acted against Saladin's attempts to expand into northern Syria and won several battles against him, including the Battle of Le Forbelet in 1181.
Baldwin hosted the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Michael the Syrian, in Jerusalem in 1178 and won his lasting loyalty to the Frankish cause. Despite his illness, which left him blind and unable to use his hands and feet by 1183, Baldwin was the only person capable of holding the kingdom's nobles together. He was deeply respected and known for his heroism and steadfast suffering.
Baldwin was troubled by the issue of succession throughout his reign and worked to select a suitable heir to prevent a crisis. He appointed Guy de Lusignan as permanent regent in 1183. Baldwin IV, King of Jerusalem, died in 1185, leaving behind a legacy of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem was Catholic. He ruled a thriving crusader state and led a Catholic army into battle.
No, King Baldwin was not a saint.
It seems that King Baldwin was kind to the Orthodox. In 1178, he hosted the patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Michael the Syrian, in Jerusalem and won his lasting loyalty.
